VietNam, so far this year, has exported more than 1.58 million tonnes of rice to rake in 347 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 9 percent in volume and 55.5 percent in value.

In April alone, the rice export was estimated at 500,000 tonnes, worth 110 million USD.

The rice price, which increased 10-18 percent on the world market in March, went down in many Asian markets in April following a report that Thailand would sell a large amount of rice under a plan to promote exports of its farm produce. Two other major rice exporters, India and Pakistan, are likely to reduce their exports because of small reserves.

The Vietnamese government has been following policies to facilitate rice exports.

According to experts, Viet Nam is expected to ship 1.25 million tonnes of rice to earn 255 million USD in the 2nd quarter, down by 10 percent in volume and 8 percent in value compared with the same period last year.